title: Correlation between Breslow thickness and Technetium-99m-sestamibi uptake in cutaneous melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technetium-99m-sestamibi (MIBI) is a radiopharmaceutical that has well-known tumor-seeking properties. We evaluated the correlation between Breslow thickness and MIBI uptake by cutaneous melanoma (CM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with suspicious melanocytic lesions received intravenous injections of 740-1,110 Mbq of MIBI. Using a gamma probe, the number of radioactive counts in the skin was considered to determinate the MIBI uptake intensity. SPECT imaging of the lesion site and respective lymph node region was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a strong positive correlation between MIBI uptake intensity and Breslow thickness (rs = 0.74, P = 0.003). There was a statistically significant difference (P <0.001) between lesions with Breslow thickness <1 mm (MIBI uptake intensity = 1.23 ± 0.28 radioactive counts) and Breslow thickness >1 mm (MIBI uptake intensity = 2.32 ± 0.32 radioactive counts).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possibility of correlating MIBI uptake intensity with Breslow categories may facilitate surgical procedures, reducing morbidity and costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology.
authors.forename: Nathália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masiero
authors.forename: Manuela Martins
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Paulo Ricardo
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Masiero
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bakos
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cartell
authors.forename: Alceu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Migliavacca
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bakos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi